Guadalajara proper is divided into four districts corresponding approximately to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast quarters of the city. At the center of everything is the main area of interest to tourists, the Centro Histórico, or the historic downtown. Most of your time will probably be spent here. It is filled with colonial-era buildings and, famously, also boasts several important mural paintings by Jalisco-born José Clemente Orozco, one of Mexico's most important artists.

Outside the Centro Histórico are:

• Sector Hidalgo— in northwest of the Centro Histórico, Hidalgo is a largely residential sector encompassing the financial district and the Country Club Guadalajara.
• Sector Libertad— northeast of the Centro Histórico, Sector Libertad is mostly given over to industrial use. However, the southwest part of the sector, close to the Centro Histórico, boasts a traditional market (Mercado Libertad) and the Plaza de los Mariachis.
• Sector Juárez— southwest of the Centro Histórico, Sector Juárez is a shoppers' paradise: it boasts two shopping malls (Centro Magno and Galerias), as well as the popular Minerva, Chapultepec, and Zona Rosa shopping areas.
• Sector Reforma— southeast of the Centro Histórico, Reforma is also a mostly industrial sector, but visitors will no doubt be interested in the pleasant, tree-filled Parque Agua Azul, as well as the Tianguis Cultural de Guadalajara, a street market where alternative clothing and articles such as spiked belts, black trenchcoats, military uniforms, used books and trading cards are for sale at good prices.

Still further from central Guadalajara are several suburbs (municipios) that are cities in their own right. Several of these are also of interest to visitors, including:

• Tlaquepaque — about 30 minutes by car southeast of the Centro Histórico, downtown Tlaquepaque is a charming streetscape redolent of old Mexico. An important arts and crafts center, Tlaquepaque has a vibrant shopping district where you can buy local pottery and handicrafts, as well as many lovely restaurants, art galleries, and a regional ceramics museum.
• Tonalá — immediately east of Tlaquepaque, Tonalá contains Guadalajara's main bus station, handicraft shops and markets, and the large Parque Solidaridad.
• Zapopan — a large, busy suburb southwest of Guadalajara, is famous for the old-fashioned charm of its downtown, its active nightlife fueled by the three large private universities within the city limits (Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universidad del Valle de Atemajac), its proliferation of modern shopping malls that will make American suburbanites feel right at home, and—by contrast—also large expanses of pristine nature, such as the Bosque de Colomos and the gargantuan Bosque La Primavera.

The 275-diagonal bus route runs from Tlaquepaque through the Centro to Zapopan, providing convenient access to all of these outer districts.

The co-founders of Guadalajara were Doña Beatriz de Hernández and Governor Cristobal de Oñate. In the Plaza de los Fundadores there is a monument in honor of both of them.

Guadalajara, and Jalisco in general, were the epicenter of the Cristero Wars (1926-1929) — a rebellion by Catholic guerrillas against the secularizing reforms of President Plutarco Calles. One of the first armed conflicts of the rebellion took place in Guadalajara in the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on August 3, 1926, where a group of several hundred Cristeros engaged in a shootout with federal troops. Guadalajara was attacked (unsuccessfully) by the Cristero armies in March 1929.

In the 1950s, Avenida Juárez was widened to create today's arterial road of Juárez-Vallarta which you see today. A famous part of that work was the moving of the central telephone exchange without the disruption of service. Pictures of this feat of engineering can be seen in the City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad).

In April 1992, Sector Reforma was rocked by a huge explosion of gasoline, when a gasoline pipeline leaked into the sewers over a period of days until the fumes finally detonated. Some 200 Tapatíos were killed and several thousand injured. The explosion affected mostly the working-class and industrial areas on the south side of the city.

In May 1993, Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo of Guadalajara was killed at the Guadalajara airport. Though at the time the murder was thought to have been some sort of politically motivated assassination, subsequent investigations favor the theory that the cardinal was caught by mistake in drug-related violence, his motorcade having been mistaken for that of a drug lord. Cardinal Ocampo is buried beneath the high altar of the Catedral de Guadalajara, probably because it was first suspected that the motives for his murder were political, rather than accidental.

• 20.521837-103.3111451 Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (GDL  ^IATA) (south of city along the Guadalajara-Chapala Highway). Airlines serving GDL include AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, United, VivaAerobus, and Volaris. (updated Jan 2017)

At the airport, always buy the taxi chit from the booth before exiting the terminal, then present it to the licensed driver. Many hotels offer airport pickups that can be cheaper.

Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. A common way to get around this limitation is to walk outside the airport a few minutes away to the nearby UPS distribution center (labeled as "Centro de Envios UPS" on Google maps). Set your Uber pick up location at this UPS center, which is outside the airport's restrictions and a driver will pick you up there.

The app Moovit finds a better bus connection from the airport to your accommodation than Google Maps (as of Dec 2021). The bus stops at the bottom of Terminal 1 and goes to the Old Bus Station close to the Centro Histórico and costs M$9.50 (Dec 2021). To get to the bus station of the airport, take a right upon exiting the airport building and follow the signs to the "Terminal Terrestre." Walk past the police station and FedEx building. Pay when getting on the bus.

Guadalajara has two bus stations:

• 20.621432-103.2858412 Central de Autobuses Guadalajara – This is the new main bus station in the suburb of Tonalá, which serves all long-distance routes (generally those which leave the state of Jalisco). From this bus station to the Centro Histórico it's convenient by the subway or e-hailing.

• 20.662924-103.3449113 Old Bus Station (Antigua Estación Central de Autotransporte) – Just south of downtown and is served by bus lines to nearby pueblos such as Tequila and Chapala. The buses themselves are very comfortable.

If you come from León and want to take a second-class van to Guadalajara: Roll&bits has daily rides for about M$200 (May 2022). Just book your ticket online on their website. The vans have a big trunk for luggage.

From and to Puerto Vallarta it's around M$300 (Nov 2021) on Blablacar.

• Federal Highway 15 (Carretera Federal 15) connects Guadalajara with Mexico City to the east.

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

For finding connections, Moovit and Google Maps cover the city including the subway. Regular buses cost M$9.50 (Dec 2023). You can pay with the public transport card or in cash. You don't get change. If paying with a bill, you can fold it and push it through the coin slot inside the bus.

The bus stops are shown in Google Maps or when calculating a route with Moovit. Not all bus stops have a signpost with a blue sign and a picture of a bus as well as triangular markings on the road with the word parada (bus stop).

Some bus lines show a different bus line number on their destination screen. When you wait for a bus, check the destination screen, the windshield and on the left of the front door, whether it's your bus line. It might be good to always ask the bus driver if he goes to your destination.

Dozens of bus routes provide transportation around the city. There are also luxury buses (Turquesa, Tour and Cardenal). Look on the front window of the bus to determine its destination, and ask the driver if you're uncertain.

Riding the bus also provides a good chance to see different parts of the city and get your bearings. Bus drivers will give you change within limits, though after even a day in Guadalajara you might find more 10-peso pieces in your pocket than you can dispose of.

Metropolitan Area Mass Transit System (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo de la Zona Metropolitana). Alternatively, try Busca Tu Ruta (Search for Your Route).

One particularly useful method for getting back and forth between the Centro Histórico and the Zona Rosa/Minerva area is the Guadalajara Trolley Bus (Trolebús de Guadalajara). Westbound trolleys travel along Avenida Vallarta; eastbound trolleys along Avenida Hidalgo. Just look overhead for the pair of electrical power cables. In the Centro Histórico you can catch the Trolebús on Avenida Hidalgo up to the east side of the Plaza de la Liberación, where it makes the turn to head up to Calzada Independencia and back west.

There is also an open-top double-decker tourist bus (TuriBus) that leaves from the Rotunda and will take you past all the main sites in Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Zapopan. Riders can get on and off the bus at will all day long, for a flat rate.

Taxis are another option if you don't want to try to figure out the buses. You can either agree on a price with the cab driver or ask him to turn the meter on. Using the latter option, there is a risk that the driver won't the take the shortest possible route if he thinks you don't know it yourself. The meter will normally be a better price than the price the hotel will tell you to pay if they call you a cab. As always, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. Cabs cost more at night or when they have to cross the outer ring (Anillo Periférico) of the city. At night, the prices are doubled. If the driver is using a meter, there's also a starting price.

Fares to and from the airport are set. If arriving at the Guadalajara airport, a taxi monopoly provides the service from the airport. Pay for your taxi ride at the booths outside of the arrival halls. You can take a normal taxi to the airport, though.

There is a light-rail subway system (the Tren Ligero) that can be useful for travelers who are headed where the trains go. There are two lines that meet at the western edge of the Centro Histórico, and a third line that runs diagonally across the city. One runs north-to-south beneath Avenida Federalismo to the edges of the city in both directions. The second runs west-to-east through the Centro Histórico to the eastern suburbs, and the third runs diagonally across the city from Zapopan in the northwest to Tlaquepaque in the southeast.

The fare is M$9.50 (Dec 2021). You can pay with the public transport card or by cash at the machine: For the latter just push on the blue button on the screen. The machine does not give you change. The subway closes at 23:00.

A public transport card costs M$30 (Dec 2021) and can be purchased e.g. at a ticket machine of a subway station. It can be used for the metro, bus and bikesharing.

A new bus service named Pre-Tren ("Pre-Train") extends from the main subway station (Juárez) through the Zona Rosa to the west Anillo Periférico at a 50% discounted fare for subway card users. Pre-Trenes provide a good service with air-conditioned, red-colored units. The service is better than the smaller buses (camiones).

You may also rent a car from airport, most major car rental companies such Avis, National Car Rental, City Car Rental,Hertz and Europcar have booths at the baggage claim area. There are also some local car rentals such as Veico Car Rental and Mobix Car Rental just outside the airport that also have good cars and often lower prices.

• 20.687533-103.34491 Belén Cemetery (Panteón de Belén), Belén 684, El Retiro, ☏ +52 33 3613 7786. Tours Tu-Sa 10:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 14:00, Th-Sa also at 20:30, 22:00 and 23:30. This old cemetery dates back to 1786. It has been converted into a museum that is full of interesting stories of cemetery hauntings and Tapatío culture in general. There are also night tours Th-Sa that many people are afraid to take! Photos and videos for a fee. Tours are offered.  
• 20.676877-103.33772 Cabañas Cultural Institute (Instituto Cultural Cabañas), Cabañas 8, San Juan de Dios, ☏ +52 33 3668 1642. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. This UNESCO World Heritage Site east of Plaza de la Liberación is a cultural and art center where the fresco paintings of Jose Clemente Orozco are exhibited. M$80; teachers, students, and seniors $60 ($30 with valid ID, kids 6-12 also), free entry on Tuesdays; camera fee $30, video fee $40; Guillermo del Toro Cinema $30, teachers, students and seniors $25. (updated May 2023)
• 20.678166-103.3520783 City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad), Independencia 684, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 1201 8712. Tu-Sa 10:00-17:30, Su 10:00-14:30. Exploring Guadalajara's over 450 years of history, the Museo de la Ciudad is situated in a former convent in the Centro Histórico that dates to the 18th Century. The museum's permanent collection is housed in six exhibition halls arranged chronologically according to century (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st) and comprises artifacts and explanatory tests related to the history of Guadalajara in terms of art and architecture, ethnography, urban development, and the everyday life of Tapatíos. Temporary exhibits are also displayed, and lectures, workshops and symposia often take place in the auditorium and outdoor courtyard. M$20, teachers and students $10, free for children under 12 and Su. (updated Jul 2017)
• 20.67423-103.358974 Museum of the Arts University of Guadalajara (MUSA Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara), Av Juárez 975, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3134 1664. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. University museum featuring noted local art. (updated Dec 2020)
• Cross of Plazas (Cruz de Plazas). These four plazas are laid out in the form of a cross, with the Catedral at the center. Any of them offer a nice spot to walk through or rest in for a few minutes, and most have plenty of food vendors nearby. The plazas that make up the Cross are: 
  • 20.67704-103.347835 Plaza Guadalajara (West of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle de Morelos, Zona Centro). Located directly in front of the cathedral, Plaza Guadalajara contains a circular fountain and an outdoor restaurant. Under the fountain there is an underground commercial center which offers all kinds of goods for sale including fruit, beverages and jewelry. 
  • 20.67619-103.346946 Plaza de Armas (south of the cathedral, between Calle de Morelos and Calle Pedro Moreno, Zona Centro). Plaza de Armas offers one of the best views of the cathedral, as well as the Government Palace. It features a French ironwork bandstand that was purchased by former Mexican president Porfirio Díaz in 1885, and four statues on the corners of the place symbolizing the four seasons. The bandstand serves as the performing arena for marching bands. 
  • 20.67703-103.345917 Plaza de la Liberación (east of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle de Morelos, Zona Centro). This plaza features two large cup-shaped fountains and a gigantic sculpture of Miguel Hidalgo, the man who signed the Mexican Declaration of Independence in the current Governor's Office. It also serves as an atrium for the oldest surviving theater in the city, the Teatro Degollado, and it's the usual spot for massive free concerts. 
  • 20.67776-103.347018 Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscans (Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres) (north of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle Independencia, Zona Centro). This lovely circular monument of fluted columns is a mausoleum containing the ashes of 98 important men and women born in Jalisco. The bright and busy atmosphere of the park around it contrasts with the serious aspect of the Rotunda. On the southern side (across the street from the cathedral) is the bus stop for the TuriBus. 
• 20.67625-103.346079 Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), Corona 31, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3668 1800. Daily 09:00-20:00. This is the historical center of the government of the State of Jalisco. Today it is mostly visited for its murals, the work of the famous Jalisciense artist, José Clemente Orozco. The most famous of these is a huge portrait of Miguel Hidalgo in the vault of the old chambers of the State Council.  
• 20.677012-103.34698410 Guadalajara Cathedral (Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima), Fray Antonio Alcalde 10, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 7168. Construction of this Guadalajara landmark started in the 1560s and took about 50 years to complete. The current towers were replaced on 1854 by architect Manuel Gómez Ibarra after an earthquake destroyed the originals in 1818. While visiting the Cathedral, a must-see is the mural "The Immaculate Conception" (La Purísima Concepción) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Also here is the Museo de Arte Sacro. The cathedral's architecture is an eclectic mix of the Gothic, Neoclassical and Palladian styles. (updated Jul 2017)
• 20.677804-103.34642111 Guadalajara Regional Museum (Museo Regional de Guadalajara), Liceo 60, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 2703. Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 09:00-16:30. A pleasant museum to spend a few hours in, especially on a hot day when you need some time out of the sun. It features the skeleton of a mammoth found on the nearby Laguna de Chapala. (updated Jul 2017)
• 20.67656-103.3451612 Museo de lo Increíble, C. Morelos 217, ☏ +52 33 3614 8487. It sounds tacky, but this wax/oddities museum can be an interesting way to learn about Jaliscian history. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.67495-103.341413 Plaza de los Mariachis, Av. Javier Mina at Calz. Independencia Sur, San Juan de Dios. The official name of this small triangular plaza is Plaza Pepe Guizar, named for the composer who was responsible for the song "Guadalajara". However, its popular name comes from the mariachi bands who, for a small fee, will serenade you while enjoying the restaurants and bars around the square (a word of warning, though: this neighborhood becomes sketchy after dark). The Plaza de los Mariachis is where the famous Mexican Hat Dance (Jarabe Tapatío) was born.  
• 20.69242-103.3511914 Acuario Michin, Mariano de la Bárcena 990 (next to Parque Alcalde), ☏ +52 33 1644 9910. Daily 11ː00-18ː00. Good representation of aquatic species here. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.6596-103.348215 Blue Water Park (Parque Agua Azul), Calz. Independencia Sur 973, Reforma, ☏ +52 33 3619 0328, parque-agua-azul-92@hotmail.com. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Open air concerts, a butterfly enclosure, an aviary and plenty of greenery are some of the things that can be enjoyed at Agua Azul. This is a good place to take a break from the often dry, dusty and crowded environment of the city. The park houses a museum of paleontology, and there is a museum of regional archaeology just across Calzada Independencia. The 1.5 km from the Centro Histórico to the park is quite walkable, but it is also accessible via the 62A and 62D buses along Calzada Independencia. 

• 20.666-103.40316 Chapalita Roundabout (Glorieta Chapalita), Av. Guadalupe at Av. de las Rosas, Chapalita, Zapopan. A verdant gathering place in a lovely neighborhood (colonia) in the suburb of Zapopan, this "garden of art" sees local artists showing off their creations every Sunday while local residents show off their dogs. Raucous celebrations take place here on national holidays. 
• 20.673598-103.35894717 The Expiatory Church of the Blessed Sacrament (El Expiatorio, Templo del Santísimo Sacramento), López Cotilla 935, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3825 3410. This finely detailed Gothic Revival cathedral was built over decades starting in the late 19th century. There is a mechanical clock in the bell tower that features a procession of the Twelve Apostles at 09:00, 12:00 and 18:00. The interior of the church features a lovely collection of stained glass windows.  
• 20.674167-103.38722218 Minerva Roundabout (Glorieta Minerva), Av. Ignacio Vallarta at Av. Adolfo López Mateos, Zona Centro. This glorieta (traffic circle) showcases a giant statue of the Roman goddess Minerva (one of the most important symbols of Guadalajara), surrounded by a fountain. It's sometimes shut down to traffic and opened to pedestrians when there's a major city celebration—such as when the Chivas football team wins a major game.  
• 20.66684-103.3684319 Monument of the Child Heroes (Monumento a los Niños Héroes), Av. Niños Héroes at Av. Chapultepec Sur, Moderna, ☏ +52 33 3825 1340. A massive stone spire that memorializes six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico City's military academy from U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War. 
• 20.674447-103.38479820 Vallarta Arch (Arcos Vallarta), Av. Ignacio Vallarta just east of Glorieta Minerva, Zona Centro. This Romanesque double arch stands at what was once the western edge of the city. There are nice views to be had from the top, and interesting murals to view on the way up.  

• 20.707778-103.39288921 Colomos Forest (Bosque Los Colomos), El Chaco 3200, Colomos Providencia, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3641 3804. M-F 09:00-15:00. This lovely, family-friendly green space is a 92-hectare urban forest that boasts 30,000 trees of diverse species. Its mission is to conserve a beautiful example of a native woodland in an urban environment and educate visitors on ways for humans to better coexist with nature. In terms of visitor amenities, Colomos boasts lovely gardens including a Japanese garden and a cactus garden, goldfish ponds where children enjoy feeding the fish, and horseback riding. Smoking is strictly prohibited.  
• 20.72125-103.3923122 Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, Calle Eva Briseño 152, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3633 0141. This basilica whose construction began in 1689 is especially popular because it preserves a wooden Virgin relic that came from Spain in the 16th century, and which is tied to a visitation by the Virgin herself with the intent of getting the indigenous people to lay down their weapons in the process of Spanish colonization. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.72269-103.431523 Trompo Mágico Museum, Av. Central Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena 750, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3030 0001. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 11:00-19:00, closed M. Interactive kids museum. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.71211-103.3735724 Calaverandia - Parque Temático, Avenida Manuel Ávila Camacho (located in Parque Avila Camacho). A thematic amusement park. (updated Dec 2020)

The municipalities of Tlaquepaque and Tonala to the southeast of Guadalajara are essentially suburbs, though they retain muc of their small-town charm. They had similar origins in originally being settlements of indigenous tribes with a pottery industry and were overtaken by the Spanish conquistador Nuño de Guzmán in 1530. Tlaquepaque also hosted Miguel Hidalgo on his way to Guadalajara in the Mexican War of Independence. Today the hallmark feature of these places is still pottery, though shops with furniture, textiles and other handicrafts are plentiful. In Tonala, don't miss the Thursday and Sunday street market revolving around handicrafts in front of the main church.

• 20.63914-103.3146525 Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Calle Independencia 237, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3860 1177. M-F 09:00-17:00. A tribute to the pottery heritage of Tlaquepaque. Portrays different styles like burnished clay, high temperature, flag clay and petatillo. free. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.64011-103.3117726 Parroquia San Pedro Apóstol, Guillermo Prieto 60, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3635 1001. M-F 09:30-13:30, 16:30-20:00 Sa; 09:30-13:30; closed Su. Baroque/Byzantine-designed parish that dates to 1845, fronting the city square known as Jardin Hidalgo. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.64204-103.3129227 Centro Cultural El Refugio, Calle Donato Guerra 160, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3562 7036. M-F 09:00-15:00. This building built in 1885 to be a psychiatric hospital now hosts cultural events and the Pantaleón Panduro, or display of winners from the National Ceramics Contest. (updated Dec 2020)

• 20.6252-103.239828 Museo Regional Tonallan, Calle Ramón Corona 73, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 1200 3936. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. Includes artwork pertaining to the Nahual, a shapeshifter sort of being. free. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.62416-103.2425929 Parroquia de Santiago Apostol/Capilla de la Cruz Blanca, Av Benito Juarez 80, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 3683 1186. 16th-century churches. The parroquia is known for its Dance of the Tastoanes featuring masks on July 25th. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20.62684-103.2431330 Museo Nacional de la Cerámica, Calle Constitución 104, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 3683 2519. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. more about ceramics. (updated Dec 2020)

• 20.70583-103.2830631 Huentitán-Oblatos Canyon (Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos), North end of Calz. Independencia Norte, Huentitán el Alto, ☏ +52 33 3674 0238. This is the forested gorge of the Río Lerma-Santiago, accessible via buses #62A and #62D which run along Calzada Independencia. There are two locations with fine views of the gorge:. 
• 20.728381-103.30833332 Guadalajara Zoo (Zoológico Guadalajara), Paseo del Zoológico 600, Huentitán el Alto, ☏ +52 33 3674 4488. W-Su 10:00-18:00 when school is in session, daily 10:00-18:00 during summer break and on holiday weekends. The modern Guadalajara Zoo is next to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos. It's worth visiting for its view of the canyon, and for its collection of animals, its safari ride and its panoramic train. Other highlights include a reptile house, a nocturnal environment exhibit and a tropical forest simulated environment. Special packages available for access to panoramic train, safari and/or aquarium  

• 20.74032-103.3102333 Independencia Overlook Park (Parque Mirador Independencia). This lovely park is at the northern terminus of Calzada Independencia adjacent to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos, with beautiful views of the canyon. Pretty gardens and benches are peppered around the park, allowing visitors to sit and enjoy the different views the park has to offer. This is also the starting point for many of the hiking trails that traverse the canyon.  

You can make a sightseeing tour in a very economically and animal friendly carriage. These are not powered by a horse, instead by a battery like an electric car. The start is at the cathedral. Prices are M$300 for half an hour, M$400-500 for a whole hour (Dec 2021).

Guadalajara's sports culture is one of the most vibrant in Mexico, with a well-developed infrastructure of stadiums and facilities, achievements under its belt such as its successful turn as the host of the 2011 Pan-American Games, world-class athletes such as professional golfer Lorena Ochoa calling the city home, and big plans for the future. Guadalajara is also home to many ballet schools surrounding the metropolitan area.

Football

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Of course, one would be remiss in talking about Guadalajara sports without mentioning the three professional football (futbol, i.e. what Americans call soccer) teams based there: Estudiantes, Atlas, and of course, Chivas. Chivas, more properly known as Club Deportivo Guadalajara, is, according to FIFA, the most popular football team in Mexico. Chivas has won 11 first-division titles and holds the longest-ever season-opening winning streak: 8 back-to-back wins. Chivas is also the only football team in Mexico with exclusively Mexican players, whereas other teams have players of varying nationalities. The team colors are red, white, and blue, signifying "Fraternity, Union, and Sports". The new stadium, Estadio Akron, with a capacity of 49,850, was inaugurated in 2010.

• 20.681667-103.4627781 Estadio Akron (formerly Estadio Omnilife), Circuito JVC 2800, Ayamonte, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3777 5700. This is the stadium where most of the outdoor events for the 2011 Pan-American Games were held, and—more importantly—where the most popular football team in the city and the whole country, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), has played since 2010. Chivas plays here every other Saturday at 19:00, unless otherwise specified. If you happen to be in Guadalajara on a Saturday, you are most likely to find either a Chivas football game in this stadium, or an Atlas game at Estadio Jalisco (below). Big games to watch out are Chivas vs. Atlas (which can be held in either stadiums depending on which one is scheduled as the home team) and Chivas vs. América—the "National Superclassic" (superclásico nacional)—as these teams are bitter rivals. Either of these match-ups are sure to sell out the stadium and treat those lucky enough to get tickets to an intense atmosphere. Estadio Akron is a difficult place to reach by public transport. It is close to the Periférico Oriente, so taking a taxi is the best option. Alternatively, use any bus that will go around Periférico and you'll eventually get there, just ask the driver to let you know when you are there, since the stadium's visibility from Periférico is very limited.  

• 20.705-103.3281392 Estadio Jalisco (Jalisco Stadium), Siete Colinas 1772, Independencia, ☏ +52 33 3637 0563. It's in Colonia Independencia, and can be reached by taking any bus along the Calzada Independencia and asking for the Estadio Jalisco. You will almost definitely see it if you look out, it will be on your left as you come from the center. Here the football team Atlas plays. Chivas used to play on this stadium until 2010, when Estadio Omnilife was completed. During the season there are league games every other Saturday. If Atlas is playing as a visitor, then you can look for a Chivas game at Estadio Omnilife. A big game to watch out for is Atlas vs. Chivas, which has an incredible atmosphere, though most games are worth experiencing. If you are of a nervous disposition, perhaps avoid the upper stands when there is a large crowd as it's known to shake when the crowds begin to jump.  
• 20.693753-103.4161363 Estadio Tres de Marzo (March 3rd Stadium), Patria 1201, Villa Universitaria, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3610 1834. The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's football stadium in the north of the city, where "Los Estudiantes" play, is named for the date of the founding of the university in 1935. The Estudiantes play in the Primera Liga along with the other Guadalajara teams, Atlas and Chivas.  

• 20.677168-103.3448326 Filharmonica de Jalisco (Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra), Teatro Degollado, Centro, ☏ +52 3614 4773. One of Mexico's top professional orchestras, the Jalisco Philharmonic celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The orchestra performs a full season of classical music from January to June each year under the direction of Maestro Jesús Medina. The orchestra frequently tours abroad. The concert hall is a showcase of opulence. 

• 20.883075-103.8343478 Tequila – 65km in the west. Situated in a picturesque countryside setting, it's perhaps the quintessential Guadalajara side trip, and is the best place to sample Mexico's favorite liquor. The Jose Cuervo distillery has a packaged tour that will pick you up from your hotel, take you to an agave farm, then to the distillery for a tour with free samples and a gift shop, then gift you with vouchers for a free margarita and 10% off at a local restaurant. The city itself is also quaint and worth exploring. Tequila is easily accessible by bus (about 90 minutes one-way), and many hotels organize excursions there for their guests. However, perhaps the most charming way of getting to Tequila is the Tequila Express, a charming tourist railroad complete with tequila shots and roving mariachis. The train leaves Guadalajara's train station Sa & Su 10:00, returning the same evening.}}
• 20.281188-103.1935049 Laguna de Chapala – 50 km in the south. It's the main regional vacation spot, a lovely lake surrounded by picturesque towns such as Chapala and Ajijic (the latter of which has a sizeable gringo expat community). To Chapala goes a direct bus from the Old Bus Station (Antigua). The 'directo' bus has A/C and takes 1 hour. It costs M$58 (Dec 2021) and departs every full hour from Guadalajara. On the way back the bus departs hourly 15 min after the full hour from Chapala.

• 20.695149-103.83571910 Guachimontones. 65 km in the west. A pre-Columbian archaeological site near the town of Teuchitlán, about an hour west of Guadalajara, that dates to the period between 300 BC and 900 AD and is known for its unique circular stepped pyramids. This complex of more than 40 hectares was only discovered in the 1970s (updated May 2018)
• 20.6751-103.010111 Parque Bicentenario Puente de Calderon (off Route 80 east of Zapotlanejo). 07:00-18:00 daily. 45 km in the east. This 17th-century stone bridge was the site of the key Battle of the Bridge of Calderón in 1811 in the Mexican War of Independence. (updated Dec 2020)

These temporary open-air street markets or bazaars are a Mexican tradition dating back to the Aztec days, and are a great way to get up close and personal with local culture at its most real—and score some bargains in the process. Some of the biggest tianguis in Guadalajara include:

• 20.659617-103.3505692 Guadalajara Cultural Tianguis (Tianguis Cultural de Guadalajara), Plaza Benito Juárez, corner Av. Wáshington and Av. 16 de Septiembre, Zona Centro. Sa 07:00-19:00. Popular especially with young people, the Tianguis Cultural is not only a great place to buy clothes and music, but also to catch free open-air concerts, mingle, see and be seen. 
• 20.67543-103.339483 Liberty Market (Mercado Libertad), Javier Mina 52, San Juan de Dios, ☏ +52 33 3618 0506. Daily 06:00-20:00. Known by locals as Mercado San Juan de Dios because of the river that used to pass through the area, the Mercado Libertad is a very busy, multi-story enclosed market; with hundreds of vendors, it's the largest market in Latin America. The market also houses a very popular and very good food court featuring everything from seafood to local favorites like birria (goat stew) and pozole (hominy and pork stew). It's a great place to get souvenirs. Unfortunately, it isn't the safest place in town, so make sure to always keep on the lookout for purse-snatchers. 
• 20.683704-103.3193134 Tianguis el Baratillo, Calle Juan R. Zavala 38, Santa María. Su 07:30-15:00. The largest tianguis in Guadalajara, this market sells anything and everything—tools, furniture, food, clothes and accessories, kitchenware, toys, and all manner of other articles—with an emphasis on used items sold at great bargains (hence its name El Baratillo, which roughly translates as "The Flea Market"). 

• 20.67388-103.380575 Centro Magno, Vallarta 2425, Arcos Vallarta, ☏ +52 33 3630 1113. Located between Avenidas Vallarta and López Cotilla, the Centro Magno has a big, wide, closed space in the middle, surrounded mostly by restaurants, fashion, electronics and bazaar stores, with a cinema on the top floor. It's served directly by bus routes 629A and 629B, and routes 626, 622, 24, 258 and 101 are also nearby. 
• 20.67851-103.394226 Galería del Calzado, Avenida México 3225, Vallarta San Jorge, ☏ +52 33 3647 6422. M-Sa 11:00-21:00, Su 11:00-20:30. This is an entire mall that contains over 60 shoe stores, great for the dedicated footwear obsessive. As you can imagine, all prices and styles can be found here. 
• 20.67691-103.43197 Galerías Guadalajara, Rafael Sanzio 150, Residencial La Estancia, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3113 9828. Daily 11ː00-21ː00. Guadalajara's biggest mall is at the intersection of Avenidas Vallarta and Rafael Sanzio. It houses Guadalajara's biggest multiplex cinema, with 20 THX projection rooms and 4 VIP rooms. Has multi-level parking ramps as well as more than 1 km² of open parking space shared with a Wal-Mart and a Sam's Club. Served by bus routes 25, 47 and 629.  
• 20.71027-103.412048 Plaza Andares, Puerta de Hierro 4965, Fraccionamiento Plaza Andares, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3648 2298. At the corner of Avenidas Patria and Puerta de Hierro. Designer stores abound here: DKNY, Cartier, Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Versace, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Valentino, Diesel, Cavalli, Calvin Klein, Channel and Dior. 
• 20.65046-103.401349 Plaza del Sol, López Mateos Sur 2375, Ciudad del Sol, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3121 5950. This mall, Guadalajara's second-largest, is near the corner of Avenidas López Mateos and Mariano Otero. The mall boasts a multi-story car park and an open layout, with big, open spaces in the middle, surrounded by hallways. Served by bus routes 357, 101, 24, 258, 626, 629, 645 and 701, as well as the longer-distance buses that connect the nearby town of Santa Anita with the metropolitan area. The Torrena Tower, measuring 336.5 m in height, is under construction next to both Plaza del Sol and Plaza Torrena, a smaller, underground mall nearby that can be recognized by its white concrete dome.  
• 20.71242-103.3787610 Plaza Patria, Patria 45160, Altamira, Zapopan. Bounded by Avenidas Patria, Ávila Camacho and Américas, this two-story mall, smaller than many of the others on this list, nonetheless has a sizable assortment of stores. Clothes and electronics can be bought here, and there are also convenience stores and a supermarket. Served by bus routes 24, 25, 604, 622, 632, 634 and 701. 

Birria, tortas ahogadas, and chilaquiles are some of the most traditional Tapatío dishes.

20.675544-103.3401241 Mercado Libertad – The food court is a good place to sample the variety of local specialties. You can go eat here multiple times, as there is a big variety of cooked meals. You can also find Chinese and Japanese dishes. The majority of the food stalls has price tags. Most vendors let you walk through the food court without disturbing you. The prices are low. It's open daily from 8:00-20:00.

• Birria is a savory stew made of roast chiles, spices and traditionally goat meat, though you will usually be given other meat options like mutton or beef depending on the restaurant. For birria, the restaurants in the Nueve Esquinas area (a few blocks south of Templo San Francisco) are popular and reliably good.
• Tortas ahogadas (literally "drowned sandwiches") are elongated sandwiches on birote bread, akin to submarines or po' boys, smothered in a savory chile and tomato sauce. Numerous restaurants in the Centro Histórico specialize in these.
• Pozole is a hearty soup of pork and hominy topped with fresh cabbage, radish, onion and cilantro. There are some very good pozole stands in the food court of the Mercado Libertad.
• Mollete. Popular for breakfast among locals, this is a French-style roll split and covered with refried beans, then topped with ham or chorizo and cheese and toasted.
• Tamales consist of pockets of masa (a starchy dough of corn flour) filled with mole (a sauce or gravy made from any of an infinite combination of chili peppers, spices, and chocolate) and the choice of chicken or pork. Most people make tamales for holidays such as Christmas, the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Independence Day, or New Year's Day.
• Enchiladas are a corn or flour tortilla rolled around and filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and/or potatoes and covered with spicy chile sauce, dressed variously in sour cream and/or cheese.

In addition to traditional Mexican specialties, Tapatíos seem to be especially fond of Italian food—a considerable number of restaurants of that type can be found around Guadalajara. If you miss American fast food, worry not: in addition to the restaurants listed here, Guadalajara has 14 McDonald's outlets.

In the centro and Americana district you find several low priced restaurants and eateries, even more in the streets around the eatery El Vegano Urbano (in the west of the Centro and in the east of Americana). To find a low priced place to eat near your accommodation, you can search in Google Maps for "cheap restaurant" and filter by price ('$' symbol).

• 20.684543-103.352331 Los Famosos Equipales, Juan Álvarez 704, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3614 1500. M-Th 10:00-00:00, F Sa 22:00-02:30. One of its famous drinks here is named "Las Nalgas Alegres" (Happy Buttocks), which is a delicious pink-colored but deceptively strong concoction. A jukebox plays music constantly, and snacks are available too. (updated Jul 2017)
• 20.675488-103.3583932 El Primer Piso, Pedro Moreno 947, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3825 7085. Tu-Sa 19:30-01:00. A lively and fun jazz bar with good music, good food and a red upholstered ceiling are trademarks. (updated Jul 2017)

• 20.67782-103.372333 Barba Negra, Justo Sierra 2194-A, Ladrón de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3808 8650. W Th 13:00-02:00, F 13:00-03:00, Sa 19:30-03:00. Features live rock music. 
• 20.67076-103.372324 Salón del Bosque, José Guadalupe Zuno 2200, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3616 4297. M Tu Sa 13:00-23:00, W-F 13:00-01:00. Upscale, laid-back atmosphere featuring live jazz and bossa nova. 
• 20.70293-103.376555 Grand Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Country Club, Av. de las Américas 1551, Providencia, ☏ +52 33 3648 3535. Try the rooftop bar here if you feel like something unique. (updated Dec 2020)

• 20.72016-103.388036 Mayas Bar, Prol. 20 De Noviembre 351, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3633 4684. Su-Th 10ː00-01ː00, Sa Su 10ː00-03ː00. This laid-back place in downtown Zapopan features food, drink and occasional live music. 

There are many inexpensive hotels available in the city center, especially around the old bus station (Central Vieja / Antigua).

Due to the intense rivalry between local club Chivas and Mexico City-based Club América, you should avoid wearing Club América jerseys in Guadalajara unless you want to risk getting singled out for harassment or worse by local fans.

• Emergency: 066
• Police: +52 (33) 3668 0800
• Fire: +52 (33) 3619 5155 or +52 (33) 3691 0510
• Air and Land Ambulance: +52 (33) 3616 9616
• Green Angels (road assistance): +52 (33) 3668-1800 ext. 31489

In an emergency, it's also a good idea to get in contact with the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.

• Romania, Torre Cube, Blvd. Puerta de Hierro 5210 Piso 12 –C, Colonia Puerta de Hierro, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 334 35 100, + 52 33 334 35 200, consulrumania@grupocube.com. Honorary Consulate (Does not provide consular services. Instead, Romanian citizens in need of assistance should contact the embassy in Mexico City.) 
• United States, Progreso 175, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3268 2100, fax: +52 33 3826 6549, usconsulategdl@megared.net.mx, acsgdl@state.govMULTIPLE-EMAIL. M-Th 09:00-13:00. 

• Guanajuato – 275 km. A beautiful mountain colonial town and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of mines are there to be visited. In the evening you can join traditionally dressed Mexicans singing and walking through the old-town.
• San Miguel de Allende – 340 km. A city known for relaxing. There are thermal pools just outside the city. The old town is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Querétaro – 360 km. Capital of the state Quéretaro. A big aqueduct goes through the city. You can taste a Gordita Queretana. The old town is – you guess it – an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• San Juan de los Lagos – 145 km. The second-most visited pilgrimage site in Mexico (after the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico City).
• San Luis Potosí – 330 km. The capital of the state of San Luis Potosí. The historic center displays a great mixture of different artistic styles and is a major example of colonial architecture in Mexico. The historical center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Puerto Vallarta – 330 km. Nearby are the coastal villages Bucerias, Sayulita and San Francisco (Mexico)

• Tepic – 205 km. The capital of Nayarit
• Mazatlan – It's recommended to take a flight into and out of the city.

Guadalajara has low-cost flights for example to:

• Cabo San Lucas and La Paz on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
• Oaxaca
• Tuxtla in Chiapas
• Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Escondido at the Pacific coast
• Cancún and Mérida on the Yucatan peninsula
• Mexico City

Tepic ← Tequila ←

W  E

→ San Luis Soyatlán → Zamora de Hidalgo